Full Day Private Tour in Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi with Guide

Vardzia is the reason to take this long day trip. Cut into a cliff in southern Georgia, the cave city gives you churches, old chambers, and broad views in one striking stop. You then add Rabati Castle and Borjomi, so the day moves from medieval faith and fortifications to mineral water and woodland.

I like the private format, since your group can travel together rather than follow a large crowd. I also like the range of the route: Vardzia has the strongest wow factor, Rabati adds religious and cultural variety, and Borjomi gives you a quieter hour to slow down.

The main catch is the road time. This is a nine to ten-hour day, and transportation time is included in that total. One serious complaint about a late cancellation also means I would confirm the departure with Imperial Tours before your travel day.

Key points at a glance

• Vardzia gets the most time: You have about two hours for the cave city, churches, history, and views.
• Three very different stops: The route combines a cliffside religious site, a castle complex, and a mineral-water park.
• A truly private outing: Only your group participates, with an air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi onboard.
• A guide can shape the day: Edward received especially strong praise for explaining Georgian history in clear, detailed fashion.
• Budget for extra costs: Entry fees total 40 GEL, and food and drinks are not included.
• Start early and expect a long ride: Pickup begins at 7:00 am, with the trip returning to the Tbilisi meeting point.

Why this southern Georgia route is worth the long day

This excursion covers a part of Georgia that is hard to fit into a short city break. Tbilisi has its own full schedule, but Vardzia, Rabati, and Borjomi sit well beyond the capital. Having one vehicle and one guide lets you connect them without arranging several separate trips.

The route is also well balanced in subject. Vardzia focuses on medieval Georgian religion and life inside a cliff. Rabati Castle brings together military architecture, a mosque, and a church. Borjomi changes the mood with a park, mineral water, and time outdoors.

You should still set your expectations correctly. This is not three leisurely half-day visits. The stops last about two hours, one hour, and one hour, while the road transfers take a large share of the day. I would choose this trip for breadth and convenience, not for slow photography or long walks at each site.

Leaving Tbilisi at 7:00 am

The stated meeting point is 15 Abano Street in Tbilisi, with pickup also available at a location of your choice. The early departure matters. It gives you a chance to fit all three stops into one day, though you will want breakfast before setting off.

Because the trip is private, your group has more control than it would on a standard coach outing. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and WiFi is provided onboard. Those are useful comforts when several hours are spent on the road, particularly after walking around Vardzia.

The booking details say most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to the meeting point in Tbilisi.

Vardzia, Georgia’s cliffside cave city

Vardzia is the central event of the day. You get about two hours here, with time to examine the cave complex, visit its churches, hear about Georgian history, and take in the views from the surrounding area.

The appeal is visual as much as historical. Instead of approaching a single freestanding monument, you look at rooms and religious spaces cut into a cliff. The setting makes the site memorable, while the guide helps turn a series of stone chambers into a story about Georgia.

This is the place where a strong guide matters most. Edward was singled out for giving a detailed account of Georgian history, and his approach sounds especially useful at Vardzia, where the meaning of the site is not always obvious from the rock-cut rooms alone.

You should wear practical shoes and be ready for uneven walking, although the tour data does not specify the exact route or accessibility conditions. Two hours gives you a solid introduction, but not unlimited time for lingering. If you enjoy ancient sites and religious art, you may wish the schedule allowed longer.

Admission is not included. The stated fee is 17 GEL per person. Keep local currency available, since the extra charge is paid separately from the tour price.

Rabati Castle and its mix of faiths

After Vardzia, the tour continues to Rabati Castle for about one hour. The visit includes the castle, its mosque, and its church. That combination gives Rabati a different character from Vardzia, where the main focus is the cave city and its religious spaces.

An hour is enough for a focused look, but you will need to keep moving. I would use this stop to compare the buildings and the religious traditions represented within the complex rather than expect a long, unhurried castle visit.

Rabati’s value comes from the contrast. You are not simply seeing another old stone site. The mosque and church create a more varied cultural picture, and the castle setting adds a military and civic side to the day.

Admission costs 18 GEL and is not part of the $175 per-person tour price. Ask the guide how much free time you have before entering, especially if you want photographs or a closer look at a particular building.

Borjomi Central Park and the famous mineral water

The final listed stop is Borjomi Central Park, with about one hour to explore, taste Borjomi mineral water, and relax in local nature. After a morning centered on stone buildings and history, this is a welcome change of pace.

The stop is short, but it serves a clear purpose. You can stretch your legs, sample the water associated with Borjomi, and enjoy a more open setting before the return drive. I would not treat this as a full visit to Borjomi. It is a compact introduction and a chance to rest.

Park admission costs 5 GEL and is not included. The three stated entrance fees come to 40 GEL per person in total: 17 GEL for Vardzia, 18 GEL for Rabati, and 5 GEL for Borjomi Central Park.

The experience also includes Georgian food and drink touches, with chacha, a traditional Georgian brandy, and churchkhela, a snack made with walnuts and grape juice. Since the information does not specify exactly when or how these are served, consider them a pleasant part of the experience rather than a replacement for lunch.

Lunch and the real cost of the day

The tour visits a restaurant at the end, but food and drinks are not included. That makes the headline price less than the final cost. Add the 40 GEL in entry fees, plus lunch and any drinks, when comparing this with other day trips.

At $175 per person, the price is easiest to justify for a small group that values a private vehicle and guide. You are paying for the long route, the dedicated transport, English-language guiding, air conditioning, WiFi, and the ability to travel only with your own group.

For one person or a couple on a tight budget, the value is less obvious. Public transport or a shared tour could cost less, though those options may involve more planning and less control. Group discounts are offered, so the per-person value may improve as your party grows.

I would also check exactly what group discount applies before booking. The posted price is per person, and the available discount details are not specified.

The guide can make or break Vardzia

The strongest positive point attached to this experience is the guide. Edward received particular praise for providing a large amount of information about Georgia, and that matters on a day with three sites that could otherwise blur together.

A guide should help you understand why Vardzia is more than a scenic cliff, how Rabati’s mosque and church fit into the visit, and what makes Borjomi’s mineral water part of the town’s identity. You are also free to ask questions as you go, which is one of the practical benefits of a private tour.

The experience is offered in English. If you are interested in history, religion, or local customs, tell the company what you care about when arranging pickup. The available information promises an English-speaking guide but does not guarantee that Edward will lead your specific departure.

The main risk: confirm your private booking

There is one important caution. A booking was reportedly cancelled only nine hours before departure because the company did not have enough people to run the private tour. The alternatives offered were joining a larger group or taking a refund.

That is a serious problem when you have built a full vacation around a distant day trip. I would contact Imperial Tours after booking and confirm that your private departure is secured, especially if you are booking close to your travel date.

The published cancellation terms allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Those rules protect you when your plans change, but they do not remove the need to verify that the operator will run the private outing.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Vardzia but do not want to arrange a complicated southern Georgia route yourself. It suits a small group that values a private car, an English-speaking guide, and a packed day with three distinct stops.

It also works well for first-time visitors who want historical context rather than just transport. Edward’s praised explanations show how much better the day can feel when the guide gives the sites a clear story.

I would be cautious if you dislike long rides, early starts, or fixed schedules. You may also prefer separate visits if Vardzia is your top priority and you want more than two hours there. Families and people with mobility concerns should ask the operator for specific route details before paying, since the available information only says that most people can participate.

Should you book the Vardzia, Rabati, and Borjomi tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one private day from Tbilisi. Vardzia is the main reason to go, Rabati adds a useful cultural contrast, and Borjomi gives you a brief outdoor break. The air-conditioned vehicle, onboard WiFi, hotel pickup flexibility, and English guide make the long route easier.

Before committing, confirm that the private departure is secured, ask about the exact pickup point, and budget for 40 GEL in admission fees plus lunch. If you accept the early start and the long road time, this is a practical way to reach three important southern Georgian sights without managing the transport yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is 15 Abano Street in Tbilisi, Georgia. Flexible pickup can also be arranged at a location of your choice.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 7:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately nine to ten hours, including transportation time.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the meeting point in Tbilisi.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which language is offered?

The tour is offered in English.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi onboard are included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Vardzia costs 17 GEL, Rabati costs 18 GEL, and Borjomi Central Park costs 5 GEL. These fees are paid separately.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour visits a restaurant at the end, but food and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.